This document specifies safety requirements and their verification for the design and construction of power take-off (PTO) drive shafts and their guards linking a tractor or self-propelled machinery to the first fixed bearing of recipient machinery. It describes methods for the elimination or reduction of risks that need specific requirements including such risks arising from misuse, reasonably foreseeable by the manufacturer. It is applicable only to those PTO drive shafts and guards mechanically linked to the shaft by at least two bearings. When used with compatible guards for power take-off (PTO) of the tractor (master shield) or self-propelled machine and the power input connection (PIC) of the power receiving machine, the requirements for power take-off drive shafts are complete. NOTE1 Fully enclosing PIC guard cones alone provide full protection. NOTE2 ISO500?1 and ISO500?2 give requirements for the guarding of tractor power take-offs (PTO) and ISO4254?1 gives requirements for power input connections (PIC) of power receiving machinery that are compatible with the guarding required by this document.In addition, it specifies the type of information on safe working practices to be provided by the manufacturer.This document does not deal with: the guards totally covering, but not mechanically linked to, the PTO drive shaft; the mechanical characteristics of PTO drive shafts, overrun devices and torque limiters; general hazards which are dealt with in ENISO4254?1:2015 (see introduction). Environmental aspects have not been considered in this document.This document is not applicable to PTO drive shafts and their guards that are manufactured before the date of publication of this document by CEN.